ఆరెపుల్లకు పూరిపుల్ల తోడు
arepullaku puripulla todu
A dry twig supported by a blade of grass.
This expression is used to describe a situation where someone who is already weak or in a precarious position receives help from someone who is equally weak or insignificant. It highlights that the assistance provided is trivial or insufficient to make a real difference, often used in a sarcastic or self-deprecating context.
Related Phrases
పుల్లనీళ్ళకే పుణ్యమనేవాడు
pullanillake punyamanevadu
One who seeks merit just by giving tamarind water.
This expression describes a person who is extremely miserly or stingy. It refers to someone who tries to gain credit for being charitable or generous by offering something worthless (like the sour water leftover from soaking tamarind) as if it were a great sacrifice.
తాటాకు చప్పుళ్ళకు కుందేళ్ళు బెదరవు.
tataku chappullaku kundellu bedaravu.
Hares wouldn’t be frightened by the noise of palm leaves.
Strong men are not frightened by empty threats by the unworthy. We should develop necessary courage and should not be scared by the trivial.
మగపిల్లాడు బంగారు పుల్ల
magapilladu bangaru pulla
A male child is a golden twig.
This traditional expression reflects the deep-rooted cultural preference for male children in certain societies, suggesting that a son is as precious and valuable as a piece of gold. It is often used to emphasize the importance of a male heir in a family lineage.
పుండుకు పుల్ల మొగుడు
punduku pulla mogudu
A stick is the husband to a sore
This expression refers to a situation where a harsh or severe remedy is required for a difficult problem. Just as a stick causes sharp pain when it touches a wound, a strict or tough person is sometimes needed to manage or control a troublesome individual or situation.
పూటకూళ్ళకు వచ్చిన వాళ్ళకు పుట్ల ధర ఎందుకు?
putakullaku vachchina vallaku putla dhara enduku?
Why should those who come for a single meal care about the price of large grain measures?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where a person is only a temporary guest or has a limited, immediate interest in something, and therefore should not worry about long-term or large-scale complexities that do not affect them. It is often a retort to someone who is interfering in matters beyond their scope or stay.
పారవేసిన విస్తరాకు పండగనాడు పనికివచ్చినట్లు
paravesina vistaraku pandaganadu panikivachchinatlu
Like a discarded leaf plate becoming useful on a festival day.
This expression describes a situation where something or someone previously considered useless or neglected suddenly becomes valuable or essential due to specific circumstances. It is often used to highlight a stroke of luck or the unexpected utility of a discarded object/person.
పొరిగింటి పుల్లకూర రుచి
poriginti pullakura ruchi
Neighbor's sour curry is tasty.
This expression is used to describe the human tendency to value things belonging to others more than their own, even if their own possessions are of better quality. It is equivalent to the English proverb 'The grass is always greener on the other side'.
మహామహావాళ్ళు ముదుళ్ళకింద ఉంటే పుల్లాకునాగతేమి అన్నట్లు.
mahamahavallu mudullakinda unte pullakunagatemi annatlu.
When great people are under the feet, what is the fate of a leaf plate?
This proverb is used to describe a situation where even highly influential or powerful people are suffering or being crushed, implying that common people or those of lower status stand no chance at all. It highlights total chaos or a hierarchy of suffering.
రుచికి పుల్లకూర వాసనకు కరివేపాకు
ruchiki pullakura vasanaku karivepaku
Sour leaf curry for taste and curry leaves for aroma.
This expression describes something that is complete and perfect because it has the right ingredients in the right proportions. It is often used to refer to a situation or a person that possesses all the necessary qualities to be effective or satisfying, much like how a dish needs both taste and aroma to be considered excellent.
పానకంలో పుడక
panakamlo pudaka
A bit of straw in sherbet.
This expression is used to describe an unnecessary or annoying person or thing that interrupts an otherwise pleasant situation. Panakam is a delicious, smooth traditional sweet drink, and finding a tiny twig or splinter in it ruins the experience.